By Associated Press
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Attorney defends trooper's actions
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An attorney for a state trooper who pulled over an ambulance with a patient inside said the lawman had the legal right to make the traffic stop.
Gary James, attorney for trooper Daniel Martin, said at a news conference Monday that since the ambulance was not running with its emergency lights and sirens on, Martin was allowed to pull over the vehicle for failing to yield the right of way in a previous traffic incident.
James also said that paramedic Maurice White Jr. escalated the situation by challenging the trooper.
Martin ended up scuffling with White while trying to arrest him. Another trooper arrived and the ambulance was allowed to continue to a hospital.
State troopers have released dash-cam video of the incident.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.